If one needs MQMs to make any status level, either one flies or one buys the MQMs.
Surely one can do a little work to find routes that will work for one's time and budget.
www.matrix.itasoftware.com is of great help.

Regarding what is a reasonable price is dependent upon what one considers one is willing to pay to get the benefits of the desired status level. It is difficult for anyone else to determine other than the individual traveller.